I love Liverpool Football Club. That is where I'll start. I love football and Liverpool F.C. has always been a huge passion of mine. One I've really grown into, one I am really passionate about. I'm not a Scouser, I come from Lancaster, north Lancs, but my Granddad was a Scouser, he was a bitter. I think I started to support LFC to annoy him... I'm 21 by the way. I love being in and around Liverpool, I have always had great banter. I've seen some fantastic Liverpool matches and experienced some magical nights. I wish I was around in the 70's and 80's to fully understand the greatness of this fantastic club.
As a Liverpool fan you hear a lot about our history because it's so prestigious. I don't know how other fans feel but I have always felt it essential to learn about our past. It made me, as a young lad, feel like a proper fan. It enabled me outclass my peers with my knowledge and knock down some scum fans when they were getting to big for their boots. I new how many times we had won the league. I new we had won the European Cup 4 times, now 5, and took great pleasure in reeling off 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 2005.
I would hope that all Liverpool fans no the basics of the history that has built this great institution.
To my shame I never new about Hillsborough. Never properly anyway. My thoughts up until quite recently were that the police let too many people in and 96 very unlucky people lost their lives. Tragic. But that was it. To my shame I even bought The S*n. I had no one to teach me and this is where we as Liverpool ambassadors need to shape up or at least that is what I feel from my experiences.
I recently read every thread in this topic. I was nearly in tears many a time and felt compelled to know more. I felt angry and upset because of the unjust actions taken against the dead and their families after the event. I was horrified at the calamitous events that lead to such a tragic day. I was disgusted with The S*n and ashamed that I was only finding out about it at the age of 21. I went out and bought 'Hillsbrough The Truth.' A harrowing, educational, insightful but damming book. I could sit here and vent all of my anger and write about all of the appalling events that happened on the day and afterwards in the papers and courts. That is not what I am here to do, I want to show respect and urge others to follow what I have done and learn.
I read the book in 2 sittings, it was such compelling reading. So much detail, good narrative and heart wrenching stories. A must for every Liverpool fan. I will never hold it against a fan for having lack of knowledge, I was in the same boat, but I would strongly urge them to read it. I feel so strongly connected to the club now, to the people. It has affected me a lot, I realy feel for this families.
I thought my little bro, my Dad and my mates who are Scum fans recently, and to their credit they all listened and took in the facts and felt bad at their previous uneducated swipes. One friend went back and taught his old man, a huge Manc, who had a real issue with Hillsborough because of what he had heard at the time. He was very shocked to hear what his son had to say. I feel that we need to keep this sort of thing going to educate other fans on the events that took place.
I am writing this now firstly because I feel compelled to show my respect, my condolences and my support for everybody involved in the tragedy and of course to the 96 who needlessly lost their lives. I want to apologise for my prior lack of knowledge and to commit to the Fight for Justice.
Secondly I wanted to ask / suggest that somebody (preferably someone with a bit more credibility within this site, preferably a local with some good knowledge and an understanding of the type of thing that is needed) should start a memorial thread for the up and coming 20th anniversary on the 15th of April. A place for people to show respect and a place for people to talk and learn. People seem scared to talk about the events that took place but this should not be the case.
So finally I want to send my deepest sympathies, condolences and support to the bereaved. My heart goes out to you all. Keep on the fight for justice, never let the 96 be forgotten.
Justice For The 96
You'll never walk alone.
R.I.P.